Tom Petty Dead at 66: Country Singers React

Tom Petty died on Monday (Oct. 2) after being found unconscious and unresponsive in his Malibu home on Sunday (Oct. 1), and country singers are among the many turning to social media to share thoughts and memories of the legendary rocker and his influence.

TMZ reported on Monday that the music icon suffered a full cardiac arrest on Sunday and was taken to UCLA Santa Monica Hospital, where he was put on life support. He was removed from life support and died later on Monday.

A statement from a Petty family spokesperson says Petty suffered a heart attack “in the early hours of [Monday] morning” (quote via Ultimate Classic Rock). He "could not be revived" upon arrival at UCLA Medical Center. Petty died at 8:40PM PT, “surrounded, by family, his bandmates and friends," the statement says.

Country Artists Who've Died in 2017

Petty shot to fame as the lead singer and frontman of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, which posted a long string of hits in the '70s, '80s and '90s with "Refugee," "The Waiting," "Mary Jane's Last Dance" and more. He also scored hits as a solo artist, most notably with his debut solo album, Full Moon Fever, in 1989, and as a member of the all-star group the Traveling Wilburys.

Tom Petty was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers in 2002, and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1999, among many other career honors. The Heartbreakers wrapped up their 40th anniversary tour just a week before Petty's death. He had said it was likely to be their last.

Many of the country singers who reacted to Petty's death also made mention of the mass shooting that took place at the Route 91 Harvest festival in Las Vegas on Sunday night. Monday was certainly one of the most tragic days in the history of modern music.